Malaysia to charge former PM Najib, ex-treasury head in graft probe

According to Malaysia’s anti-graft agency ex-premier, Najib Razak and ex-head of Treasury, Mohamad Irwan Serigar Abdullah will on Thursday be charged in connection with several cases of criminal breach of trust involving government funds.

The charges are the latest in a widening investigation of corruption, launched by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after Najib was ousted in a shock general election upset in May.

Najib and Mohamad Irwan Serigar Abdullah, former Treasury secretary-general, will be brought to a Kuala Lumpur court on Thursday to be charged, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said in a statement.

Najib is already facing 32 money laundering, graft and breach of trust charges in relation to transactions linked to state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

U.S. authorities allege that about $4.5 billion was siphoned from the fund, founded by Najib in 2009.